Radio frequency (RF) system including programmable processing circuit performing block coding computations and related methods

ABSTRACT

A radio frequency (RF) system may include an RF transceiver and a baseband engine, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupled to the RF transceiver and configured to perform a given baseband engine operation from among different baseband engine operations. The baseband engine ASIC may include a memory and a state machine coupled thereto and configured to store a respective set of programming instructions for each of different baseband engine operations and to permit selection of the given set of programming instructions. The baseband engine may also include a programmable processing circuit coupled to the memory and the state machine and configured to perform block coding computations responsive to the given set of programming instructions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and moreparticularly, to radio frequency (RF) systems and related methods.

BACKGROUND

A typical radio frequency (RF) system may perform a single RF function.For example, to perform multiple RF functions, several individualdevices, systems, or circuits that each perform a single RF function maybe used. These individual devices, systems, or circuits generally areimplemented using a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which may berelatively expensive, have a relatively high power demand, and may havea lagging node geometry.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,870,233 to Ralston et al. discloses a software downloadconfigurable communication device. The device includes an architectureformat referred to as reconfigurable logic. Reconfigurable logic refersto a real-time operating system (RTOS) where the outside source controlsthe type of state machines that control the dataflow process (i.e.control flow process). With reconfigurable logic, stored-instructionengines rely on shared buses for the transfer of data and instructions.Stored program instructions are used to run on an instruction decoderand controller. In another architecture, a hardware kernel planeprovides the capability of reconfigurability for a range of protocols inan application, or within a range of applications. Additionally, thehardware kernel plane is modular, and thus may be designed to operate ingroups.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,788,989 to Eng is directed to a system for developing anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware description,for example, a second hardware description, may be generated and mayinclude modification of a first hardware description to optimize theASIC. The ASIC may be created or configured and may implement thefunction of a software program. Configuring or creating the ASIC mayinclude implementing the second hardware description (or the finalhardware configuration/plurality of second hardware configurations) onthe ASIC. For example, where the hardware description for configuringthe ASIC includes a state machine, configuring the ASIC may includeimplementing the state machine. Furthermore, configuring the ASIC mayinclude implementing one or more portions of the first hardwaredescription on the ASIC.

SUMMARY

A radio frequency (RF) system may include an RF transceiver and abaseband engine, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupledto the RF transceiver and configured to perform a given baseband engineoperation from among a plurality of different baseband engineoperations. The baseband engine ASIC may include a memory and a statemachine coupled thereto and configured to store a respective set ofprogramming instructions for each of the plurality of different basebandengine operations and to permit selection of the given set ofprogramming instructions. The baseband engine ASIC may also include aprogrammable processing circuit coupled to the memory and the statemachine and configured to perform a plurality of block codingcomputations responsive to the given set of programming instructions.

The programmable processing circuit may be configured to operate anapplication programming interface (API) to permit selection of the givenset of programming instructions, for example. The plurality of blockcoding computations may include a plurality of cyclic code computations.

The plurality of block coding computations may include a plurality ofn-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC) computations. N may be between 8 and32, for example.

The RF system may include a channelization circuit between the RFtransceiver and the baseband engine ASIC, for example. The RF system mayinclude a sample rate conversion circuit between the RF transceiver andthe baseband engine ASIC.

The RF system may include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupledbetween the RF transceiver and the baseband engine ASIC, for example.The RF system may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupledbetween the RF transceiver and the baseband engine ASIC.

A method aspect is directed to a method of performing a given basebandengine operation from among a plurality of different baseband engineoperations. The method may include operating a memory and state machineof a baseband engine, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) topermit selection of the given set of programming instructions from amongrespective sets of programming instructions stored in the memory foreach of a plurality of different baseband engine operations. The methodmay also include operating a programmable processing circuit of thebaseband engine ASIC to perform a plurality of block coding computationsresponsive to the given set of programming instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an RF system according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband engine ASIC of theRF system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband engine ASIC of theRF system of FIG. 1 for performing FFT computations.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband engine ASIC of theRF system of FIG. 1 for performing FHT computations.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband engine ASIC of theRF system of FIG. 1 for performing DCT computations.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband engine ASIC of theRF system of FIG. 1 for performing Viterbi computations.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an RF system performing Viterbidecoding computations in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an RF system according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the baseband engine ASIC of theRF system of FIG. 8 for performing CRC computations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used toindicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, a radio frequency (RF) system 20includes an RF transceiver 21. The RF transceiver 21 may be for use in aradar system, communications system, or other RF system. In other words,the RF transceiver 21 may be operable across a range of desiredfrequencies. The RF system 20 also includes a baseband engine,application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 30. The baseband engineASIC 30 is coupled to the RF transceiver 21 and performs a givenbaseband engine operation from among different baseband engineoperations.

The baseband engine ASIC 30 includes a memory 31 and a state machine 32coupled to the memory. A programmable processing circuit 33 is alsocoupled to the memory 31 and the state machine 32.

A respective set of programming instructions are stored in the memory 31for each of the different baseband engine operations. For example, thedifferent operations may include radar operations (e.g., multi-functionarray) and communications operations. The baseband engine ASIC 30 alsopermits selection of the given set of the programming instructions. Moreparticularly, the programmable processing circuit 33 may operate anapplication programming interface (API) to permit selection of the givenset of programming instructions. For example, a user may operatesoftware via a display and an input device to select the given set ofprogramming instructions. Variables may also be stored in the memory 31,for example, for affine sets of instantiations (e.g., node operations,path multipliers, etc.). The variable may be included with or part ofthe given set of programming instructions.

The programmable processing circuit 33 also performs butterflycomputations responsive to the given set of programming instructions. Aswill be understood by those skilled in the art, in the context of fastFourier transform (FFT) algorithms, butterfly computations are theportion of the FFT computation that combines the results of smallerdiscrete Fourier transforms (DFTs) into a larger DFT, or vice versa(breaking a larger DFT up into sub-transforms). The name “butterfly”comes from the shape of the data-flow diagram, for example, in theradix-2 case.

For example, branch weights may be provided as inputs to a butterflystructure while control is provided by node functionalities, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. An exemplary butterflystructure is illustrated in FIG. 2, whereby the X_(k) are branch k_(th)inputs, W represents a coefficient or weight, and X_(k+1) are outputs.The butterfly computations may include fast-Fourier transform (FFT)computations (FIG. 3). In particular, a multidimensional DFT transformsan array x(n) with a d-dimensional vector of indices n=(n₁, . . . ,n_(d)) by a set of d nested summations (over n_(j)=0 . . . N_(j-1)) foreach j, where the division n/N, is performed element-wise (FIG. 3).Equivalently, it is the composition of a sequence of d sets ofone-dimensional DFTs, performed along one dimension at a time (in anyorder).

In other embodiments, the butterfly computations may also includeinverse fast-Fourier transform computations (IFFT) as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art.

The butterfly computations may also include fast-Hadamard transform(FHT) computations (FIG. 4). Those skilled in the art will recognizethat an FHT is a Walsh-Hadamard transform of discrete, periodic datasimilar to the DFT.

The butterfly computations may also include discrete cosine transform(DCT) computations (FIG. 5). A DCT expresses a finite sequence of datapoints in terms of a sum of cosine functions oscillating at differentfrequencies (FIG. 5).

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 6 and 7 the butterfly computationsmay also include Viterbi decoding computations. A Viterbi decoder, forexample, uses the Viterbi algorithm for decoding a bitstream that hasbeen encoded using a convolutional code or trellis code. The Viterbialgorithm is a dynamic programming algorithm for finding the most likelysequence of hidden states—called the Viterbi path—that results in asequence of observed events, especially in the context of Markovinformation sources and hidden Markov models (HMM) (FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary RF system includes programmableprocessing circuitry for performing Viterbi decoding computations, andincludes a code rate look up table 41 used with or provided to anassociated state machine 42. Hard symbols may be provided to a butterflystructure 43, the output of which may be provided to a traceback unit 44and a survivor path memory 45. The survivor path memory 45 providesinput to the traceback unit 44, which in turn provides soft symbols asan output.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a channelization circuit 34 and a sample rateconversion circuit 35 are coupled between the RF transceiver 21 and thebaseband engine ASIC 30. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 36 anddigital-to-analog converter (DAC) 37 are also coupled between the RFtransceiver 21 and the baseband engine ASIC 30. More particularly, theDAC 37 is coupled between the channelization circuit 34 or the samplerate conversion circuit 35 and the RF transceiver 21, and provides inputto the RF transceiver. The ADC 36 is also coupled between thechannelization circuit 34 or the sample rate conversion circuit 35 andthe RF transceiver 21, and provides accepts output from the RFtransceiver.

A method aspect is directed to a method of performing a given basebandengine operation from among a plurality of different baseband engineoperations. The method may include operating a memory 31 and statemachine 32 of a baseband engine ASIC 30 to permit selection of the givenset of programming instructions from among respective sets ofprogramming instructions stored in the memory for each of a plurality ofdifferent baseband engine operations. The method may further includeoperating a programmable processing circuit 33 of the baseband engineASIC 30 to perform a plurality of butterfly computations responsive tothe given set of programming instructions.

The method may also include operating an application programminginterface (API) using the programmable processing circuit 33 to permitselection of the given set of programming instructions. The plurality ofbutterfly computations may comprise a plurality of fast-Fouriertransform (FFT) computations, a plurality of inverse fast-Fouriertransform (IFFT) computations, a plurality of fast-Hadamard transform(FHT) computations, a plurality of Viterbi decoding computations, or aplurality of discrete cosine transform (DCT) computations.

The method may also include operating a channelization circuit 34between a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 21 and the baseband engineASIC 30, and operating a sample rate conversion circuit 35 between RFtransceiver and the baseband engine ASIC.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, in another embodiment, the programmableprocessing circuit 33′ may perform, for example, instead of butterflycomputations, block coding computations responsive to the given set ofprogramming instructions. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatblock codes are a large and important family of error-correcting codesthat encode data in blocks.

The block coding computations may include cyclic code computations. Acyclic code is a block code, where the circular shifts of each codewordgives another word that belongs to the code. A cyclic code is anerror-correcting code that has algebraic properties that are convenientfor efficient error detection and correction. Accordingly, the cycliccode computations may include n-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC)computations, whereby n may be between 8 and 32, for example. Of course,n may be another number outside this range. A CRC code is anerror-detecting code commonly used in digital networks and storagedevices to detect accidental changes to raw data. Blocks of dataentering these systems get a short checksum value attached, based on theremainder of a polynomial division of their contents. On retrieval, thecalculation is repeated and, in the event the checksum values do notmatch, corrective action can be taken against data corruption. Anarchitecture for generating a CRC may include an input that receives apolynomial (i.e., n-bit polynomial) and is controlled by way ofexclusive OR-ing of bits form the generating polynomial (FIG. 9).

While the programmable processing circuit 33′ performs block codingcomputations, for example, instead of butterfly computations, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the programmable processingcircuit of the baseband engine ASIC 30′ may perform either butterfly orblock coding computations depending on the selected set of programminginstructions. Elements illustrated but not specifically described aresimilar to those described above with respect to FIG. 1.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, by beingprogrammable or reprogrammable for different operations the RF system20, 20′ may provide increased RF functionality within a smaller space,using less power, and with a reduced amount of weight. In contrast,conventional RF systems may have discrete circuitry or individualdevices for each function, and reusing or reprogramming these individualdevices or circuits may not be possible, or, in some cases wherereprogramming may be possible, reuse or reprogramming may be relativelycostly and/or complex for implementation. In other words, theserelatively complex RF systems with individual or discrete device foreach function are generally not scalable nor flexible to allow forupgrade or feature addition.

A method aspect is directed to a method of performing a given basebandengine operation from among a plurality of different baseband engineoperations. The method may include operating a memory 31′ and statemachine 32′ of a baseband engine, application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) 30′ to permit selection of the given set of programminginstructions from among respective sets of programming instructionsstored in the memory for each of a plurality of different basebandengine operations. The method may also include operating a programmableprocessing circuit 33′ of the baseband engine ASIC 30′ to perform aplurality of block coding computations responsive to the given set ofprogramming instructions.

The method may also include operating an application programminginterface (API) using the programmable processing circuit 33′ to permitselection of the given set of programming instructions. For example, theplurality of block coding computations may comprise a plurality ofcyclic code computations, such as n-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC)computations, wherein n is between 8 and 32. Of course, n may be anothernumber, for example, an arbitrary number.

The method may also include operating a channelization circuit 34′between a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 21′ and the baseband engineASIC 30′, and operating a sample rate conversion circuit 35′ between theRF transceiver and the baseband engine ASIC.

While several embodiments have been described herein, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that any element or elementsfrom one or more embodiments may be used with any other element orelements from any other embodiment or embodiments. Many modificationsand other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of oneskilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it isunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A radio frequency (RF) system comprising:an input device; an RF transceiver; and a baseband engine applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) coupled to the RF transceiver andconfigured to perform a given baseband engine operation from among aplurality of different baseband engine operations comprising at least aradar operation and a communication operation, the baseband engine ASICcomprising a memory and a state machine coupled thereto and configuredto store a respective set of programming instructions for each of theplurality of different baseband engine operations, each respective setof programming instructions comprising variables for sets ofinstantiations associated with the different baseband engine operations,and permit selection of the given set of programming instructions, and aprogrammable processing circuit coupled to said memory and said statemachine and configured to perform a plurality of block codingcomputations responsive to the given set of programming instructions,and operate an application programming interface (API) to permitselection via said input device, of the given set of programminginstructions.
 2. The RF system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of blockcoding computations comprises a plurality of cyclic code computations.3. The RF system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of block codingcomputations further comprises a plurality of n-bit cyclic redundancycheck (CRC) computations.
 4. The RF system of claim 3 wherein n isbetween 8 and
 32. 5. The RF system of claim 1 further comprising achannelization circuit between said RF transceiver and said basebandengine ASIC.
 6. The RF system of claim 1 comprising a sample rateconversion circuit between said RF transceiver and said baseband engineASIC.
 7. The RF system of claim 1 further comprising ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) between said RF transceiver and saidbaseband engine ASIC.
 8. The RF system of claim 1 further comprising adigital-to-analog converter (DAC) between said RF transceiver and saidbaseband engine ASIC.
 9. A baseband engine application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) to couple to a radio frequency (RF)transceiver and configured to perform a given baseband engine operationfrom among a plurality of different baseband engine operationscomprising at least a radar operation and a communication operation, thebaseband engine ASIC comprising: a memory and a state machine coupledthereto and configured to store a respective set of programminginstructions for each of the plurality of different baseband engineoperations, each respective set of programming instructions comprisingvariables for sets of instantiations associated with the differentbaseband engine operations, and permit selection of the given set ofprogramming instructions; and a programmable processing circuit coupledto said memory and said state machine and configured to perform aplurality of block coding computations responsive to the given set ofprogramming instructions, and operate an application programminginterface (API) to permit selection via an input device, of the givenset of programming instructions.
 10. The baseband engine ASIC of claim 9wherein the plurality of block coding computations comprises a pluralityof cyclic code computations.
 11. The baseband engine ASIC of claim 9wherein the plurality of block coding computations comprises a pluralityof n-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC) computations.
 12. The basebandengine ASIC of claim 11 wherein n is between 8 and
 32. 13. A method ofperforming a given baseband engine operation from among a plurality ofdifferent baseband engine operations comprising at least a radaroperation and a communication operation, the method comprising:operating a memory and state machine of a baseband engine applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) to permit selection of the given setof programming instructions from among respective sets of programminginstructions stored in the memory for each of a plurality of differentbaseband engine operations, each respective set of programminginstructions comprising variables for sets of instantiations associatedwith the different baseband engine operations; and operating aprogrammable processing circuit of the baseband engine ASIC to perform aplurality of block coding computations responsive to the given set ofprogramming instructions; and operating an application programminginterface (API) to permit, via an input device, selection of the givenset of programming instructions.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein theplurality of block coding computations comprises a plurality of cycliccode computations.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the plurality ofblock coding computations further comprises a plurality of n-bit cyclicredundancy check (CRC) computations.
 16. The method of claim 15 whereinn is between 8 and
 32. 17. The method of claim 13 further comprisingoperating a channelization circuit between a radio frequency (RF)transceiver and the baseband engine ASIC.
 18. The method of claim 13further comprising operating a sample rate conversion circuit between aradio frequency (RF) transceiver and the baseband engine ASIC.